It wasn’t Santa Claus who visited a number of homes on Holiday Lake near Brooklyn sometime last week.

Several break-ins to residences along North Lakeshore Drive on Holiday Lake were reported on Wednesday, Dec. 23, with another on Echo Drive called in on Saturday, Dec. 26.

According to the Poweshiek County Sheriff’s office, at least four residences had been broken into on North Lakeshore Drive.

“There were several burglaries in the Holiday Lake area,” said Lawrence McNaul, chief deputy with the Poweshiek County Sheriff’s office. “We’ve identified patterns and characteristics of the burglars and continue to investigate.”

The burglaries were discovered when an exterminator working in the area called 9-1-1 to report that he saw a door that may have been broken down at a house.

At least one deputy was dispatched and located additional signs of forced entry at the other residences.

On Dec. 26, another 9-1-1 call advised of a possible home burglary on Echo Drive, also on the northeast side of the lake. Additional residences in the area and across the lake have also reportedly been vandalized.

The Poweshiek County Sheriff’s office continues its investigation and urges anyone with any information to contact their office at 641-623-5679.